He brought into the house of the LORD the votive gifts of his father and his own votive gifts: This is the reading of the Masoretic Text. The reading in the margin of the Masoretic Text says “he brought the votive gifts of his father and the votive gifts of the house of the LORD.” Even New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh, which often follows the corrected readings in the margins of the Masoretic Text, follows the Masoretic Text here since the correction makes little sense.

Votive gifts renders a Hebrew noun that sometimes means “holy things.” See the discussion of this term in 1 Kgs 7.51, where Revised Standard Version translates it “things … dedicated.” The text does not state from where Asa and his father collected these votive gifts. Scholars have proposed various items, including objects taken from local places of worship outside of Jerusalem and spoils of war. As in 7.51, De Vries translates this Hebrew noun as “sacral booty,” assuming that these were objects that had been captured in war. Without more evidence, however, it will be better to use a general term or expression such as “objects dedicated to God” (so Good News Translation) or “dedicated gifts” (New Jerusalem Bible).

His father is Abijah.

Silver, and gold, and vessels: These were the things dedicated to God. For vessels see the comments on this general term in 1 Kgs 7.51. In the Hebrew text vessels clearly refers to items or objects in addition to silver and gold. Good News Translation has taken the words silver and gold as adjectives that modify the noun vessels, but this does not seem to represent accurately the intended sense of the Hebrew. It may be better, therefore, to speak of “gold, silver and other objects” or “silver, gold, and various utensils” (New American Bible).

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on 1-2 Kings, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2008. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .